Shot RTI activist claims to be fighting for farmers against pvt co

Times of India: Nagpur: Saturday, August 19, 2017.

Lakshman Bagde told TOI on Friday that he was shot on Thursday for asking questions that would help the cause of farmers and harm a private company manufacturing explosives, where the assailant is employed.

Bagde claims to be spearheading the Right to Information (RTI) Act wing of Katol-based NGO Janta Raja Pratishthan. He was allegedly shot from behind by Arun Gujar, who was riding pillion on Bagde's bike and had asked the latter to stop by the roadside. Gujar decamped with the two-wheeler after shooting Bagde at Raulgaon, around 20km from Kalmeshwar, on Thursday. Gujar is still absconding.

Bagde, currently recuperating at Mayo Hospital from a bullet injury to his left temple, had filed queries under RTI some three months ago before the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) pertaining to the use of neem-coated urea, a high-end fertilizer for the use of farmers. Bagde had sought information from PESO about who had permitted the private company at Kalmeshwar to manufacture slurry-based explosives using neem-coated urea. After PESO refused to release the information, Bagde had filed an appeal before the first appellate authority.

Bagde said the private company had been using substantial amount of neem-coated urea, which is considered a cheaper form of fertilizer. Gujar's elder brother is learnt to be employed with the Raipur branch of the private company, which also promotes commercialization of organic farming.

"RTI activists are being targeted, so they should be given security. I had been getting threats from the employees of the private company. They had also tried to lure me with bribes, which I had refused," he said. "I have named the owner and employees of the company in the statement to the police, but only Gujar was made an accused in the attempt to murder case. I feel the cops are hand in gloves with the private company," he said.

Bagde told TOI he was summoned by Gujar for discussions, but ended up attempting to kill him. "Bagde had earlier fired in the air, which I had already told police in July and also in August first week, but no one took it seriously," he said.

After the firing incident on Thursday, police had claimed that Bagde and Gujar had a dispute over Rs15,000, which had led to the firing. Bagde rubbished this claim of the police. He admitted that there were two offences registered against him at Katol police station; one of political nature for ransacking a toll booth, and another charge by a "woman of questionable background".

Kalmeshwar police have launched an operation to nab Gujar. Teams have gone to various locations to nab Gujar. It's learnt that Gujar has been slapped with prevention actions earlier.